The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 50

Thanks to Sarah’s return, the work Tericia had planned began progressing quickly.

When Tericia mentioned she needed a workshop, she was given an entire greenhouse in the annex, and a building was arranged to serve as the workspace. The gathered artisans settled in, and under Sarah’s supervision, began blending fragrances.

“How is this one, my lady?”

“Hm… it’s softer and more delicate than the one we sent to His Majesty last time. It has a calming feel to it.”

“Then…”

“Let’s send this one to the Imperial family.”

Tericia gently closed the box of fragrance and pushed it aside before opening the next.

“This one…”

Over and over—dozens of times. At last, the scents were sorted into three categories: those for sale, those to be gifted to noble families, and those for the Imperial court.

Sarah carefully recorded the categorized fragrances and recipes, then headed to the workshop to prepare them. She moved quickly, eager to get things ready in advance.

“You’ve worked hard, my lady.”

Mandy brought her a cool drink and set it down in front of her without delay.

“…My nose feels numb,” Tericia muttered after downing half the drink in one go. She leaned back in her chair. The fragrances had made her head spin.

“Maybe you should rest for a while?”

Tericia didn’t answer right away. She just closed her eyes and, almost out of habit, murmured:

“Where’s Rashid?”

“The Duke stepped out, my lady.”

“…I see.”

She wasn’t sure if she felt disappointed or relieved.

“Did he say when he’d be back?”

“No, my lady.”

Since becoming Duke, Rashid had been incredibly busy. Tericia realized it had been quite a while since she last saw him.

I wonder if he’s eating properly. Is he pushing himself too hard?

She suddenly found herself missing him. Maybe he’d like it if I waited up for him for once, instead of falling asleep first.

She thought about that look Rashid would give her—slightly startled at first, then relaxing into a warm smile. Just imagining it made her heart flutter.

It wouldn’t be so bad to do something I don’t normally do… just to see that smile.

“Mandy, prepare a little something to go with wine—something easy to eat before bed. I’m going to wait up for Rashid tonight.”

“Yes, right away!”

Mandy hurried off like she had just received the most urgent mission in the world.

“You don’t have to rush…” Tericia chuckled softly, watching her maid disappear at lightning speed.

＊＊＊

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

“It has indeed, Your Grace.”

After exchanging greetings, the Crown Prince sat at the seat offered by the High Priest.

“To what do I owe this visit?”

“It could be something… or nothing at all, depending on how you see it,” the Crown Prince replied, pausing in thought before continuing.

“What are the chances that a demonic beast could appear in the Empire?”

“…A demonic beast?”

“Yes.”

The High Priest looked a little startled, unsure if he had heard correctly.

“You’re familiar with the legend that somewhere in Latran there is a sacred sanctuary, yes? Because of that, there haven’t been any demonic beasts here for a thousand years.”

“That’s what I’ve always believed. But…”

Rashid had told him that the lady had followed a white fox into the forest. But what he had encountered deep in those woods wasn’t a fox.

“It was a massive creature—unlike anything I’ve seen. It looked somewhat like a deer.”

That description immediately reminded him of the demonic beasts often reported in the eastern kingdom beyond the mountain range.

If that kind of creature has crossed into Latran…

The thought sent a chill down his spine. Such a threat could throw the Empire into chaos. He needed to confirm it.

“Well, this is quite something…”

The High Priest let out a small sigh, looking perplexed.

“It must be a special day. You’re the second person to ask me the same question.”

“The second?”

“Just before you arrived, Duke Hespelt was here. He asked me the exact same thing.”

Ludwig raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, though he kept his expression composed.

“…And what exactly did he ask?”

“Exactly what you just did.”

“He asked about the possibility of demonic beasts?”

“Yes.”

“……”

Looking back, it wasn’t surprising. Rashid had seen the creature with his own eyes. Of course he would come here to confirm what it was.

“I see. Did he mention anything else?”

“…That’s not something I should answer, Your Highness.”

The High Priest responded with a gentle smile.

Though he was relatively young for someone in his position, he had served in the Grand Temple since childhood. He wasn’t someone to take lightly.

And he knew when to hold his tongue—especially when dealing with the Imperial Family or the great noble houses.

“Is there anything else Your Highness wishes to ask?”

“No. That will be all.”

Feeling he had learned nothing new, Ludwig stood up.

He exited the temple, leaving the High Priest behind. If Rashid had anticipated his movements, then—

“Your Highness.”

As expected, Rashid was waiting outside.

He greeted the Crown Prince more formally than usual, which immediately made Ludwig scowl.

“…For some reason, I find your face particularly annoying today.”

Rashid’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“You say that like it’s new, Your Highness.”

“It’s just… so unlike me.”

The two walked side by side, making their way toward the temple garden. The attending priests respectfully bowed as they passed, but the pair moved forward without pausing.

“I thought I moved quickly enough,” Ludwig muttered.

“I had a hard time keeping up,” Rashid replied, half-smiling.

“Don’t be dramatic.”

The Crown Prince grumbled, and Rashid chuckled softly.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“Weren’t you going to ask me something, Your Highness?”

Rashid smoothly shifted the topic, pretending not to hear the complaint. Ludwig let out a short scoff.

“…Are you certain about what you saw? Was it really a demonic beast?”

“Honestly… I’m not sure.”

Ludwig turned to him, his expression asking for an explanation.

“At first, I thought it was just some magical illusion.”

What he’d received from the Crown Prince had been a white fox. When he saw the empty basket, he assumed Tericia had followed the same fox, so he went after her.

But what he found when he reached her… wasn’t a fox.

It was a massive white stag, towering well above a man’s height. And not just large—the creature’s fur was pure white, almost glowing. He had never seen anything like it.

It wasn’t something natural.

“Demonic beasts usually carry a certain aura, don’t they? Something dark… and ominous.”

“They do,” Ludwig nodded.

Demonic beasts didn’t belong to the realm of light. In fact, people in the eastern kingdoms—where such creatures often appeared—were said to have developed darker, more withdrawn personalities because of them.

“But that creature… didn’t have that kind of aura.”

Rashid paused, trying to find the right words. At first, he had assumed the creature must be a demonic beast because of what it had done to Tericia.

But the more he thought about it, the more he realized—there was nothing malicious about its presence. In fact…

“It reminded me of this place,” he said, glancing around at the garden.

Its aura was clean. Calm. Not exactly pleasant, but definitely not evil.

“Are you saying… it was a divine beast?”

“I doubt it. Its eyes were unsettling.”

Even though it had only glanced at him briefly, those deep, glossy black eyes had shimmered strangely. There was no warmth in them—no goodwill.

“The more I hear, the more confusing this gets.”

“I feel the same. But… I can’t shake the feeling that something unusual is about to happen.”

At those words, Ludwig fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.

“They say the eastern kingdoms have had fewer demonic beast sightings this year.”

“Yes, almost none compared to previous years.”

“So instead of strengthening their defenses during the calm, they’re stirring up trouble.”

He clicked his tongue in annoyance. Rashid gave a faint, bitter smile.

With the beasts no longer appearing in the East, the region had started showing signs of civil war. No one knew where that unrest might spread.

“We should prepare. Something’s not right.”

“I’ve already issued orders to reinforce the eastern borders. I’ve also asked Margrave Glen to tighten security.”

“Better safe than sorry.”

Ludwig’s face looked tired. But then, as if remembering something, his expression brightened.

“By the way, how’s your sister doing? It’s been a while since I last saw Lady Tericia.”

“……”

Now it was Rashid’s turn to scowl. Why is he like this?

Rashid closed his eyes slowly, resisting the urge to glare—or curse.

The Crown Prince’s persistent interest in Tericia was grating.

“Didn’t you see her at the hunting festival? Honestly, I wish Your Highness would stop showing interest in someone else’s sister.”

“I’ve said it before—strengthening ties between the Imperial Family and the Ducal House is important.”

“Be that as it may, I have no intention of forming a marriage alliance.”

Especially not involving her.

A chill passed through Rashid’s golden eyes. A look that might have been considered impudent—if directed at anyone else.

But he didn’t care.

The Crown Prince’s words always came wrapped in a light, joking tone—but behind that, Rashid could feel something real. Not just political interest in uniting houses, but a personal one as well.

A man known for cold calculations, Ludwig only ever seemed to show genuine emotion where Tericia was concerned. As if it were nothing serious—but still, he kept coming back to her.

That alone, Rashid could not tolerate.

Just as the Hespelt name was his to guard—so was Tericia. He had no intention of letting go. Not to anyone.

Her place was beside one person. Only one. No one else but him.

“So… you’d risk tension with the Imperial Family over a single woman?”

“Are you questioning my loyalty?”

Rashid’s voice turned cold.

“I trust you. But will others see it that way? They may start whispering things… wondering why you’re refusing the most advantageous path—”

“Does the Imperial Family plan to repeat what happened fifteen years ago?”

Rashid stopped walking. Ludwig stopped too, facing him. A chill hung in the air between them.

“I was young, yes. But I remember. I remember how it started. How something so small turned into all that.”

Ludwig didn’t reply.

“If anything like that happens again, I will no longer be your sword, Your Highness.”

Rashid looked him straight in the eye.

They stood there in silence for a moment, locked in quiet tension. Then slowly, Ludwig’s lips curled into a smile.

“Come now.”

He shrugged lightly, as though it were no big deal.

“You think I’d ever turn against House Hespelt? You’re my strongest ally.”

“……”

“The reason I bring up marriage isn’t to push you away—it’s to bind us closer. To strengthen our bond.”

“That suggestion, Your Highness, is what threatens to sever that bond. I ask you to reconsider.”

Rashid’s voice was firm.

“If enemies rise against you, I will be the one to strike them down. If war breaks out, I’ll stand at the front lines and fight. I will be your sword. But…”

He placed a hand over his chest and bowed.

“I ask only that you honor the promise you made to me.”

“…Very well.”

Ludwig answered quietly.

“I’ve never forgotten that promise. You don’t need to worry.”

But still, he thought to himself, the heart doesn’t always follow reason.

Support The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out